Quinn Letter - Letter

Mission to Seafarers Victoria, Docklands

Single page, double sided letter written on unlined off-white paper (0827), headed Liddesdale Avenue, Frankston and dated 27/10/49. Matching envelope (0827.b) has a blue airmail sticker and a nine pence stamp on the front. The other stamp has been torn off. Only half the postmark remains.

Quinn Letter - Letter

Historical information

Allan writes that in order to reach Australia he signed on to the Mongabarra at San Pedro but when the ship reached San Francisco he had to sign off and let the seaman, who had been ordered before Allan signed on in San Pedro, take his place. Had he been able to stay with the ship he would have been in Australia by Christmas.

Historical information

Allan writes in detail about his six-day, 3500 mile car trip from New York to Los Angeles. Only one of the five other passengers shared the driving with him. He describes the excellent roads, the beautiful countryside, the towns, and the friendly people. He thought New Mexico the most beautiful state he saw and Tombstone was the most interesting.

Significance

Quinn Collection

Inscriptions & Markings

The letter is from Allan to his mother. There is no stamp on the envelope and the postmark is indistinct.

Historical information

Indicates a friendship at the time

Significance

Quinn Collection

Inscriptions & Markings

Letter begins "Hi Allen" and concludes "...your old friend Douglas". The envelope has been re-addressed twice; originally to New York then San Pedre, California and finally to San Francisco. There is one post-mark on the front and two on the back. A return address, D Massey, 2415 Yeur Street, Vancouver BC Canada is written on the back.

Quinn Letter - Letter

Historical information

Allan writes of his trip from New York with five others in a 1942 Plymouth. He describes "..magnificent highways..", the very hot weather, and that "New Mexico and Arizona have been the most spectacular states with their deserts and mountains and colours".

Significance

Inscriptions & Markings

Quinn Letter - Letter

Mission to Seafarers Victoria, Docklands

Pale green self-folding letter written with green ink, headed New York and dated 19/09/49.

Historical information

Allan writes of his time in New York and mentions some parcels he has sent to his mother, including one with a photo album of photos taken whilst aboard the 'Fenris'. As shipping is slow in New York he is planning to drive with three others from New York to Los Angeles.

Significance

Inscriptions & Markings

Quinn Letter - Letter

Single-sided letter written on seven sheets of thin, blue unlined paper (0821.a1-0821.a7) dated 3/09/49 and headed New York. No envelope was found.

Historical information

Allan writes that having reached New York he has 'signed off' the 'Fenris'. "After ten months I'm a civilian again....". He describes the eighteen hour voyage from Boston to New York when they came through the Cape Cod Canal and Long Island Sound in New England past holiday homes, sailboats and launches. He mentions that, in New York, Bing Crosby's latest film is 'Top of the World', Ingrid Bergman is appearing in 'Under Capricorn' and that you can buy a 12" television for the equivalent of fifty pounds, a smaller one for twenty-six pounds.

Significance

Inscriptions & Markings

Quinn Letter - Letter

Mission to Seafarers Victoria, Docklands

Three and a half page letter written on unlined blue 'airletter' paper (0819.a1-a3). First two pages have writing on one side only, third page has writing on both sides. Pale grey envelope (0396.b). The stamp/stamps have been removed and with them part of the address.

Historical information

Vera write of her travels through Europe and of her intention to return to Australia via India in October.

Significance

Inscriptions & Markings

Quinn Letter - Letter

Mission to Seafarers Victoria, Docklands

Three-page letter written to Allan (0817.a1-3) from his father, Stanley Quinn, on three sheets of lined cream-coloured paper, headed Liddesdale Avenue, Frankston and dated 25.07.49. The envelope (0817.b) is buff-coloured. Also found in this envelope is a single-sided, two-page letter written on thin off-white lined paper (0817.c1-2) to Allan from his friend Norm headed 1 Selwyn Street, Artarmon, dated 27.07.49. Enclosed with 0817.c are two small black and white photographs (0817.d1-2). 0817.d1 shows a small boy with a model airplane and 0817.d2 the model airplane from a different angle.

Historical information

Letter 0817a; the writer refers to Allan's 21st birthday and his recent letter from Rio. He also writes of prices rising in Australia, the coal strike, and that 'Sydney especially is badly hit'. He also recommends Allan see a film called 'The Secret Land', a record of an American Naval Expedition to the South Pole, if he gets the opportunity. Letter is signed 'Your loving Dad, Stanley Quinn'.
Writer of 0817d also refers to Allan's 21st birthday and the coal strike which has affected manufacturing and the availability of materials, especially bricks as all the brickworks are closed down. The letter is signed 'Your Pal Norm'.

Significance

Quinn Collection

Inscriptions & Markings

Letter 0817a is written on the reverse side of three pages of the Melbourne Stevedoring Company's Cargo Tally sheets.
The envelope is pre-stamped with an embossed profile of King George V and a crown in white on a red, oval background. Postage is two and a half pence. Envelope is addressed to Allan C/- Swedish Seaman's Union, 156 Montague Street, Brooklyn, New York, USA. The postmark is torn. There is a blue air-mail sticker on the upper left-hand corner.
0817d; On the left wing of the model airplane is printed MAA, on the right wing - 17. There are pencilled marks on the back of each photograph.

Quinn Letter - Letter

Mission to Seafarers Victoria, Docklands

Single-sided letter written on two sheets of unlined blue air-letter paper (0816.a1-2) headed M.S.Fenris, Montevideo, and dated 22.07.49. The blue airmail envelope (0816.b) has a 4cm border of diagonal green and yellow stripes. There are two Uruguayan stamps, one blue, one green. The postmark is indistinct.

Historical information

Allan writes of his two-weeks in Buenos Aires where he witnessed a '..great parade..' on Independence Day and heard Peron speak in the city. He also attended several orchestral concerts and saw 'Gone with the Wind' for the fourth time. He writes 'The papers have been full of the coal strike in Australia down here....'.

Significance

Quinn Collection

Inscriptions & Markings

Dining Chairs - Manse Dining Suite

Mission to Seafarers Victoria, Docklands

Wooden oakwood dining chairs with heart-shaped carvings. Eucalyptus green leather cushion seats. Canvas webbing underneath. Set of 6 original chairs used in the Manse. Four chairs in urgent need of repair and restoration.

Historical information

Miniature - miniature lifebelt or life preserver

Mission to Seafarers Victoria, Docklands

small red painted and white corded lifebelt with inscription in black paint.

Historical information

Presented to MTSV by seafarer Bosun Tomovs from the vessel Ïrongate"registered in Monrovia Bugaria who created this memento miniature and presented it to Chief Manager Sue Dight, on the occasion of his visit to the MTSV, Melbourne.

Significance

The seafarer who created this object has presented similar objects to Missions to Seamen wherever he has come ashore and used the services. The object forms a connection through the creator with the Mission network across the globe.It is also a representative sample of creativity aboard ship.